Smaller U.S. Cotton Crop Expected

WASHINGTON - May 9/08 - SNS -- All cotton production for 2007 is estimated at 19.2 million 480- pound bales, down 11% from the previous year's production, according to the USDA's latest crop production estimates.

The U.S. all cotton yield averaged 879 pounds per acre, up 65 pounds from 2006. Upland cotton production is estimated at 18.4 million 480-pound bales, down 12% from the previous season. The U.S. yield for upland cotton is estimated at 864 pounds per acre, up 58 pounds from last year's yield. The yield is the highest on record, surpassing the previous record high of 843 pounds per acre set in 2004. Harvested area, at 10.2 million acres, is down 18% from the previous year.

The 2007 area planted to all cotton totaled 10.8 million acres, down 29% from 2006. Harvested acreage at 10.5 million acres is down 18% from the previous year.

Subscribers can read the full text of the article by Clicking here